Philip IV: The Hidden History of the Peace of Westphalia 1648 and the Loss of European Dominance

In the 17th century, the echo of the greatness of the House of Habsburg resonated throughout Europe. However, after the signing of the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, that echo turned into a lament. This treaty not only ended the Thirty Years' War but also marked the beginning of an era of decline for Philip IV and his empire. The chroniclers of the time could not help but recount the series of events that led to Spain's significant loss of power and the disintegration of its dominance in Europe.

The Empire of Philip IV: Grandeur and Decay

Under the reign of Philip IV, which began in 1621, Spain was still a dominant power in Europe. With vast territories extending from the Netherlands to the Americas, the empire appeared to be an invincible colossus. However, the brilliance of its greatness began to fade. Constant military conflicts, combined with ineffective internal policies and a declining economy, started to undermine the foundations of Spanish power.

The religious wars, the struggle for hegemony in Europe, and the pressure from external enemies such as France and Sweden, along with the rebellion in the Netherlands, began to deplete the Crown's resources. The situation became even more serious with the intervention of Louis XIV's France in the conflict, which would become one of Philip IV's main antagonists on the European stage.

The Turning Point: The Thirty Years' War

The Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) was a devastating conflict that began as a religious struggle between Catholics and Protestants but quickly transformed into a complex web of alliances and political rivalries. As the war spread, the figure of Philip IV became central to the unfolding drama...